Device for walking on water

ABSTRACT

A device for enabling a pedestrian to walk on water including a pair of floats supporting a frame which rigidly connects the floats one to the other in a parallel side-by-side spaced apart relationship. Left and right pendulum arms depend from the frame. At least one paddle is pivotally attached to each pendulum arm to provide propulsion to the floats as the pedestrian actuates the pendulum arms and the paddles by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking. A keel depends from the frame and extends into the water between the paddles to partially define independent channels or slips for the left and right paddles for increasing the propulsion developed by each step taken by the pedestrian, i.e., the slips further being defined by portions of the inboard sides of the floats. Forward and reverse stops are included which are attached to the paddles, enabling the pedestrian to selectively develop forward or reverse propulsion to change the direction of travel of the device.

United States Patent n91 Livaudais 1111 3,756,187 451 Sept.'4,1973

[ DEVICE FOR WALKING ON WATER [76] Inventor: Loyd J. Livaudais, 1325 N. Pkwy., Memphis, Tenn.

22 Filed: Dec. 21, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 210,374

Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Galen L. Barefoot Attorney-John R. Walker, III

[5 7] ABSTRACT A device for enabling a pedestrian to walk on water including a pair of floats supporting a frame which rigidly connects the floats one to the other in a parallel sideby-side spaced apart relationship. Left and right pendulum arms depend from the frame. At least one paddle is pivotally attached to each pendulum arm to provide propulsion to the floats as the pedestrian actuates the pendulum arms and the paddles by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking. A keel depends from the frame and extends into the water between the paddles to partially define independent channels or slips for the left and right paddles for increasing the propulsion developed by each step taken by the pedestrian, i.e., the slips further being defined by portions of the inboard sides of the floats. Forward and reverse stops are included which are attached to the paddles, enabling the pedestrian to selectively develop forward or reverse propulsion to change the direction of travel of the device.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEBSEP "4 an 3,756; 187

' INVENTOR. LOYD J. LIVAUDAIS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus enabling a person to walk on water.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior devices enabling a person to walk on water, e.g., the applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,898, have certain disadvantages which probably adversely affect their marketing capability. Some of these disadvantages are: (1) The devices are not very efficient, i.e., the propulsion of these devices usually depend upon paddles which are moved through the water as the person moves his legs in a manner similar to walking. A considerable amount of slippage is evident as the paddles moves through the water, thus the propulsion is less than desirable. (2)The weight of certain of these devices is excessive. This also adversely affects the propulsion. (3) Excessive linkage which increases the amount of resistance. Thus, the operator easily becomes fatigued. (4) The devices are complicated in structure, which makes them expensive to manufacture, resulting in the purchase price being unreasonable.

A preliminary patentability search revealed the following U. S. Pat. Nos. 1,344,225; 1,475,031; 1,692,055; and 3,1 12,504. None of the above references, including the applicants US. Pat. No. 3,242,898, show or suggest certain structure peculiar to the appliants present device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous devices for walking on water and is an improvement on the applicants US. Pat. No. 3,242,898. The concept of the present invention is to provide a device for walking on water which is considerably more efficient than prior known devices. Additionally, the present device is lightweight in construction, has minimum linkage for the actuation thereof and is simple in construction which should considerably reduce the construction costs thereof.

The device includes a pair of floats supporting a frame which rigidly connects the floats one to the other in a parallel side-by-side spaced relationship. A left and right pendulum arm depends from the frame, i. e., the pendulum arms have outwardly directed portions which the pedestrian places his feet upon and which will be more fully disclosed later in the specification. At least one paddle is pivotally attached to each pendulum arm to provide propulsion to the floats as the pedestrian actuates the pendulum arms and the paddles by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking. A keel depends from the frame and extends into the water between the paddles to partially define independent channels or slips for the left and right paddles, thus increasing the propulsion developed by each step taken by the pedestrian, i. e., the slips further being defined by portions of the inboard sides of the floats. The inboard edges of the paddles are in close proximity to the keel and the outboard edges thereof are in close proximity to the inboard sides of the floats, thus minimizing the passage of water on either side of the paddles. Forward and reverse stops are included which are attached to thepaddles, enabling the pedestrian to selectively develop forward or reverse propulsion to change the direction of travel of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention:

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device 11 of the present invention generally includes a frame assembly 13, a pair of floats 15, 17 for providing buoyancy to support the frame assembly 13 and a pedestrian upon a body of water, right and left pendulum arms 19, 21 depending from the frame assembly 13, right and left paddles 23, 25 pivotally attached respectively to the pendulum arms 19, 21, and a keel 27 depending from the frame assembly 13 for reasons yet to be disclosed.

The device 1 l is so constructed that when the device 11 is placed in a body of water and a pedestrian is supported thereon, the combined weights thereof cause the device 11 to draw sufficient water to establish a preferred waterline character referenced by the letters WL. The frame assembly 13 includes a pair of transverse beams 29 or bridge members which rigidly interconnect the floats 15, 17 in a parallel sideby-side spaced apart relationship. Additionally, a fore and aft extending beam 31, disposed substantially midway between the floats 15, 17 is included and clearly illustrated in the drawings.

The beams 29, 31 maybe formed from wood, or, if desired, a light metal, e. g., aluminum, may be used in the construction thereof. The frame assembly 13 additionally includes a plurality of upright support members 33 for supporting the fore and aft extending beam 31 a predetermined distance above the floats 15, 17. The upright members 33 preferably are formed from a lightweight tubular metal, e. g., aluminum or the like. Each of the support members 33 includes a vertically disposed midportion 35, a lower horizontally disposed portion 37, and an upper horizontally disposed portion 39. The lower portions 37 are directed outwardly from the midportions 35 and are supported by the transverse beams 29 as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The upper portions 39 are directed inwardly from the midportions 35, being substantially perpendicular to the lower portions 37 and having the fore and aft extending beam 31 attached thereto as best illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The device 11 preferably includes a seat 41 conveniently fitted to the fore and aft extending beam 31. Additionally, the device 11 preferably includes a rubber assembly 43 which may be operated remotely by the pedestrain with a handlebar 45. The handlebar 45 is conveniently attached to the fore and aft extending beam 31 so that a shaft 47 rotates about a vertical axis by the movement of the handlebar 45. Connecting rod 49 has the one end thereof suitably attached to the shaft 47 and the other end suitably attached to the rudder assembly 43. In other words, the rudder assembly 43 pivots about a vertical axis, as at 51, and the ends of the connecting rod 49 are suitably connected to ball sockets (not shown) in a manner obvious to those view taken as on the line IIIIII skilled in the art. The vertical axis 51 alluded to above may simply be a hinge having one leaf thereof attached to the fore and aft extending beam 31 and the other leaf attached to the rudder assembly 43 in a typical manner, as with screws (not shown).

The pendulum arms 19, 21 each includes a substantially vertical midportion 53, an upper horizontal portion 55, and a lower horizontal portion 57, i. e., each pendulum arm 19, 21 resembling a crank. The upper portions 55 of the pendulum arms 19, 21 are journaled to the fore and aft extending beam 31 in any well known manner for pivot about transverse horizontal axes. It should be apparent from the drawings that the pendulum arm 19 is free to pivot independently from the pendulum arm 21 so that the pedestrian may operate the pendulum arms 19, 21 in opposite directions simultaneously in a manner yet to be disclosed.

The respective paddles 23, 25 are pivotally attached to the lower portions 57 of the pendulum arms 19, 21. In other words, the pendulum arms 19, 21 preferably are formed from tubular steel or the like and straplike hinge members 59 are provided for pivotally attaching the paddles 23, 25 to the lower portions 57. From FIG. 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that a stirrup-like strap member 61 is included for holding the foot of the pedestrian upon the lower portion 57 as he moves his legs in a manner similar to walking.

The floats 15, 17 preferably are removably attached to the transverse beam 29 in a manner accommodating expeditious removal thereof, e. g., as with wingnuts 63 or the like. Additionally, the transverse beams 29 are removably attached to the lower portions 37 in a manner accommodating expeditious removal thereof as with wingnuts 65, i. e., the wingnuts 63, 65 being received by bolt structure (not shown) obvious to those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, the floats 15, 17 and the transverse beams 29 may quickly be disassembled from the frame assembly 13 for compactness in portage of the device 11. In other words, the floats 15, 17 preferably are inverted and attached to the lower portions 37 at the location of the wingnuts 65. Further, the transverse beams 29, after being removed from the lower portions 37 may be interposed between the respective floats 15, 17, i. e., extending along the longitudinal axes thereof and attached to the lower portion 37 simultaneously with attaching the floats 15, 17 thereto. It should be understood that the pendulum arms 19, 21 may be rotated upwardly sufficient to accommodate the floats l5, 17 in a position adjacent the midportions 35, i. e., beneath the paddles 23, 25.

It should be pointed out that the paddles 23, 25 may optionally include more than one planar member. In other words, it is anticipated that further efficiency of the device 1 1 may be achieved by constructing the paddles 23, 25 in such a manner that a plurality of paddles are ganged into a single subassembly.

The forward and reverse stop means for limiting the pivoting rotation of the paddles 23, 25 includes a tab 67 fixedly attached to each of the paddles 23, 25 adjacent the uppermost portion thereof and disposed substantially perpendicular with the paddles 23, 25 for engagement thereof with the ball portions of the pedestrian's feet to limit the pivotal rotation of the paddles 23, 25 in one direction for forward propulsion of the device 11. Further, a tab 69 is fixedly attached to each of the paddles 23, 25 adjacent the uppermost portions thereof. The tabs 69 are substantially diametrically disposed from the tabs 67 and displaced laterally therefrom for selective engagement thereof with the heel portions of the pedestrians feet to limit the pivotal rotation of the paddles 23, 25 in an opposite direction for reverse propulsion of the device 1 1. In other words, the tabs 67 are positioned a distance inboard on the paddles 23, 25 from the tabs 69 as best illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

From FIG. 2 of the drawings, it may be seen that forward propulsion is achieved when the pendulum arm 21 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. In other words, the pedestrian forces the lower portion 57 (FIG. 1) thereof rearwardly which tends to cause clockwise rotation of the paddle 25, as viewed in FIG. 2, thus causing the tab 67 to engage the ball of the pedestrians foot. Obviously, the identical sequence as just described occurs when the pendulum arm 19 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2.

Conversely, reverse propulsion of the device 11 is achieved by the pedestrian urging the pendulum arm 21 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings. It should be pointed out that the pedestrian would move his feet laterally or outboard so that the heels of his feet are in line with the tabs 69 prior to attempting to propel the device 11 in a reverse direction. Therefore, clockwise rotation of the pendulum arm 21 tends to rotate the paddle 25 in a counterclockwise direction which causes the tab 69 to engage the heel of the pedestrian s foot, thus keeping the paddle in an optimum position for a reverse power stroke. Obviously, the just described sequence for the pendulum arm 21 is intended to include the pendulum arm 19.

The device 11 includes water deflecting structure for turning the direction of water splashed by the paddles 23, 25 away from the feet of the pedestrian. From FIG. 2 of the drawings, it may be seen that the deflective structure includes structure having an arcuate surface 71 thereto and attached to the paddles 23, 25. The arcuate surfaces 71 extend upwardly from the waterline WL and curve away from the paddles 23, 25 to a terminus 73 thereof. The terminus 73 is substantially parallel with the tabs 67, 69 and is subjacent thereto which obviously makes them subjacent the feet of the pedestrian for deflecting the splashed water away from his feet.

A pair of spacing blocks 75 are included and are interposed between the upright support members 33 as clearly illustrated in the drawings. The keel 27 includes a holding member 77 extending from the forward upright support members 33 to the rear upright support members 33 as best illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Further compactness for portable preferably includes relocating the keel 27 upwardly. More specifically, the forward end of the holding member 77 is interposed between the forward support members 33 and the rearward end of the holding member 77 is inter posed between the rearward support members 33. The spacer blocks 75 preferably have a thickness greater than that of the holding member 77, thus the holding member 77 may freely be moved up and down. Accordingly, a pair of anchoring pins 79 hold the holding member 77 for the normal positioning thereof and the anchoring pin 79 holds the holding member 77 in a position adjacent the fore and aft extending beam 31 for compactness in portage of the device 11.

When the keel 27 is in the normal position, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, it defines in part a left slip or channel 81 for the left paddle 25 and a right slip or channel 83 for the right paddle 23 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The left and right slips 81, 83 are further defined by portions of the inboard sides of the floats 15, 17.

- From FIG. 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the inboard sides of the floatsl5, 17 are preferably substantially vertical. The paddles 23, 25 substantially span the slips 81, 83 by having the inboard edges of the paddles 23, 25 disposed in close proximity to the keel 27 and the outboard edges of the paddles 23, 25 disposed in close proximity to the floats l5, 17. This will minimize the passage of water between the inboard sides of the paddles 23, 25 and the keel 27 and the outboard sides of the paddles 23, 25 and the inboard sides of the floats l5, 17 as the paddles 23, 25 are caused to move to and fro within the slips 81, 83. In other words, the keel 27 greatly enhances the propulsion efficiency of the device 11 or causes it to travel a greater distance and at a faster speed than prior devices with the same amount of work being exerted by the pedestrian.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof,

it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a device for enabling a pedestrian to walk on water having frame means, float means providing buoyancy for supporting the device on the water, pendulum means pivotally attached to said frame means, and paddle means pivotally attached to said pendulum means for providing propulsion to said floats as the pedestrian actuates said pendulum means and said paddle means by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking, forward and reverse stop means for limiting the pivoting rotation of said paddle means, said stop means comprising first tab means fixedly attached to said paddle means adjacent the uppermost portion thereof and being substantially perpendicularly disposed with said paddle means for engagement thereof with the ball portions of the pedestrians feet to limit the pivotal rotation of said paddle means in one direction for forward propulsion, and second tab means fixedly attached to said paddle means adjacent the uppermost portion thereof and being substantially diametrically disposed from said first tab means and displaced laterally therefrom for selective engagement thereof with the heel portions of the pedestrians feet to limit the pivotal rotation of said paddle means in an opposite direction for reverse propulsion.

2. A device for enabling a pedestrian to walk on water, said device comprising frame means, a pair of floats for providing buoyancy to support said frame means and the pedestrian upon a body of water, said frame means including transverse beam means rigidly interconnecting said floats in a parallel side-by-side spaced apart relationship, fore and aft extending beam means disposed substantially midway between said floats, and upright support means for supporting said fore and aft extending beam means a predetermined distance above said floats; said upright support means including a plurality of tubular members each having the mid-portion thereof vertically disposed, the lower portion thereof being horizontally disposed and directed outwardly towards said floats and being supported by said transverse beam means, and the upper portion thereof being horizontally disposed and directed inwardly from said mid-portion substantially perpendicular to said lower portion and having said fore and aft extending beam means attached thereto; right and left pendulum arm means depending from said fore and aft extending beam means, and partially submerged paddle means pivotally attached to the lower portion of each of said pendulum arm means for providing propulsion to said floats, said paddle means alternately being caused to provide a power stroke and a return stroke respectively by pivotal movement about the lower portions of said pendulum arm means as the pedestrian actuates said pendulum arm means by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking 3. The device of claim 2 in which is included forward and reverse stop means attached to said left and right paddle means for engagement thereof by the feet of the pedestrian enabling him to selectively change the direction of the propulsion from a forward direction to a re verse direction and from the reverse to the forward direction as he moves his legs in the manner similar to walking. 

1. In a device for enabling a pedestrian to walk on water having frame means, float means providing buoyancy for supporting the device on the water, pendulum means pivotally attached to said frame means, and paddle means pivotally attached to said pendulum means for providing propulsion to said floats as the pedestrian actuates said pendulum means and said paddle means by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking, forward and reverse stop means for limiting the pivoting rotation of said paddle means, said stop means comprising first tab means fixedly attached to said paddle means adjacent the uppermost portion thereof and being substantially perpendicularly disposed with said paddle means for engagement thereof with the ball portions of the pedestrian''s feet to limit the pivotal rotation of said paddle means in one direction for forward propulsion, and second tab means fixedly attached to said paddle means adjacent the uppermost portion thereof and being substantially diametrically disposed from said first tab means and displaced laterally therefrom for selective engagement thereof with the heel portions of the pedestrian''s feet to limit the pivotal rotation of said paddle means in an opposite direction for reverse propulsion.
 2. A device for enabling a pedestrian to walk on water, said device comprising frame means, a pair of floats for providing buoyancy to support said frame means and the pedestrian upon a body of water, said frame means including transverse beam means rigidly interconnecting said floats in a parallel side-by-side spaced apart relationship, fore and aft extending beam means disposed substantially midway between said floats, and upright support means for supporting said fore and aft extending beam means a predetermined distance above said floats; said upright support means including a plurality of tubular members each having the mid-portion thereof vertically disposed, the lower portion thereof being horizontally disposed and directed outwardly towards said floats and being supported by said transverse beam means, and the upper portion thereof being horizontally disposed and directed inwardly from said mid-portion substantially perpendicular to said lower portion and having said fore and aft extending beam means attached thereto; right and left pendulum arm means depending from said fore and aft extending beam means, and partially submerged paddle means pivotally attached to the lower portion of each of said pendulum arm means for providing propulsion to said floats, said paddle means alternately being caused to provide a power stroke and a return stroke respectively by pivotal movement about the lower portions of said pendulum arm means as the pedestrian actuates said pendulum arm means by moving his legs in a manner similar to walking
 3. The device of claim 2 in which is included forward and reverse stop means attached to said left and right paddle means for engagement thereof by the feet of the pedestrian enabling him to selectively change the direction of the propulsion from a forward direction to a reverse direction and from the reverse to the forward direction as he moves his legs in the manner similar to walking. 